The Stranding: SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD

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The Stranding: SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD

The Stranding: SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD

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The return to their childhood home evokes memories in Mary’s daughters, which reveal the deep-seated love they have for each other amongst all their sibling rivalry and which make them realise that they have something quite precious and important that is worth protecting. While the apocalypse-type chapters were an odd interruption from the main character’s normal life, it was interesting to think about how Ruth came to be there, and why she is so far from home.

The Stranding: THE CAPTIVATING WORD OF MOUTH HIT OF THE The Stranding: THE CAPTIVATING WORD OF MOUTH HIT OF THE

Thanks to the dual narrative, as well as exploring the ‘what ifs’ of life in the wake of a decimating global disaster, the book explores the real-life, here-and-now female experience. Kate called her heroine Ruth, a Biblical name which translates from the Hebrew as ‘friend’, to signpost the fact she is both individual and Everywoman. Mary is quietly calm, rising to the challenge of three girls and doing her best, despite their differences. Her kind, caring nature can be seen in her acceptance of Rosie and Irene, both of whom she takes in and looks after. After a life with many challenges, we hope she finally has her happy ending. This is an old style family saga, with all the foibles, quirks and oddities that large families have. It is a very slow start, and really nothing much happens in the first 70% of the book, but the reader is kept guessing what has caused the major rift between Emma and Phoebe, though it’s pretty obvious Michael is involved. Wow. I knew I adored Kate's writing after reading The Stranding earlier in the year but this one had something magical about it. The characters felt so real. Their problems, feelings and emotions vividly handled. Again without giving any spoilers, she is betrayed and heartbroken, and yet she is gracious, generous, and loving towards all those who deserve it.Before is mostly concerned with Ruth's relationship with Alex. It becomes clear to the reader very early on that it's a pretty toxic relationship, but most of the Before timeline is spent following Ruth as she discovered that for herself. There's some lovely writing, but I didn’t feel the need to rush it; there’s no urgency. I would probably describe it as a beautiful slow burner. It’s more about life observations and feelings than action and adventure. Says Kate: “I’ve always been very drawn to magical realism, but when I started writing seriously I discovered that, as a writer, I gravitate towards relationships, the real things that happen between people. I also discovered that I’m really quite observant of real life.” Ruby was born on December 9 and Kate filed her final draft to her agent the week before Christmas. The two experiences - having a baby and writing a book - are akin in some ways, she reflects: “Both are fraught with fears and full of joy.” Bury St Edmunds Cathedral in Winter (53789068) I used to devour dystopian novels; The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and 1984 by George Orwell being two of my favourites.

The Stranding by Kate Sawyer | Goodreads

The Stranding is an original, compelling and brilliantly written story. I loved the dual timelines of 'before' and 'after' and could not put it down. It's a thought-provoking and timely read, about hope, survival and the human spirit * Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie To You * I started this novel with great hopes but at some point I became disconnected. I regret that and the fact that I found it impossible to rescue myself. This was in part due to the switching between timelines and narratives which I am afraid to say confused me, and in part simply because I felt a total disconnect with these characters. This is a family with a difficult past and the tension between them was tangible and totally to be expected but at points this just made me feel rather uncomfortable.There is Mary��s eldest, Emma who is flying in from Los Angeles, Phoebe, a journalist and alcoholic with her partner, actor Michael Regis and their two young kids. There is Rosie ( not a biological daughter) with her partner, Danyal. There is also Mary‘s mother-in-law, Irene with whom she has had a fractious relationship over the years. Irene, of the “don’t read at the table dear” history. I’d spit in her eye for that if she were my mother in law, I thought as I read it ! Weirdly, her ex husband, Richard ( a difficult character at the best of times) is cooking a pig on a spit for the wedding celebrations. They are all trying to hold things together for Mary’s sake, as she’s a kind and enveloping person who does so much for others. In a timeline that jumps between the present and past, there are hints about the problems that exist between the various members of this family. They have some close ties that could still unite, and painful events that have torn them apart for years. I didn’t want this book to end. It blew me away, and moved me beyond belief’– Bryony Gordon, author of Mad Girl

The Stranding by Kate Sawyer | Waterstones

I'm sure all readers of This Family will have differing opinions on which characters they liked, and which characters they disliked, especially when considering the three sisters (Emma, Phoebe, and Rosie), based on their own personalities and preferences. Guest authors, from across form and genres, all at different stages in their careers, generously give an insight into how they write, why they write and their journeys to, through and beyond publication. I loved Mary's relationship with her mother in law (Irene), and the questions this raised about our obligation to family. But when she arrives at her destination, she finds instead that the world, and life, she left behind no longer exists. The scattered members of Mary's close family are coming together to celebrate her marriage. Her one wish is that they can lay aside their differences for one day, to make one happy memory in the house that has meant so much to them all over the years.Why are these sisters getting together such a concern? Who is Mary marrying? As you progress through the first few chapters, even more questions arise. This family is like a jigsaw puzzle and none of the pieces fit.



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